Telegraph service equipment



Aug. 9, 1949. J, WISE r L 2,478,218

TELEGRAPH SERVICE EQUIPMENT Filed April 21, 1945 4 Sheets-Sheet lINVENTORS R.J.WISE c. H. R DINGS ATTORNEY Aug. 9, 1949. R. .1. WISE ErAL TELEGRAPHjERVICE EQUIPMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 21, 1945R.,J. WISE G.H.RIDINGS vm mm ATTORNEY Filed April 21, 1945 R. J. WISE ETAL TELEGRAPH SERVICE EQUIPMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 21, 1945TRANSIMITTER ,us I

AMPLIFIER R. J. WISE ET AL TELEGRAPH SERVICE EQUIPMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4|57 3O -las |5| (I52 I50 I53 lss INVENTORS R.J.WISE Q P G.H.RIDING$ J JBY ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 9, 1949 UNITED STATES PTENT QFFEQE TELEGRAPHSERVICE EQUIPMENT Raleigh J. Wise, Dunellen, and Garviee H. Rid- "ings,Summit, N. 3., assignors to The Western Union Telegraph Company, NewYork, N. Y.,- "acorporation of New York Application April 21, 1945,Serial .No. 589,482

, 13 Claims.

Our invention relates to the handling of telegraph messages recorded atautomatic receiving stations and itsma'in object is to provide novelmeans for reserving the secrecy of transmitted messages atthe placewhere they are received for delivery.

'It has been roposed to expedite telegraph service in small towns byplacing automatic telegraph receiver's at convenient points, such asdrug stores, hotel lobbies and even private homes. These locations thusb'ecome telegraph agencies where the received-messages are delivered bythe person in charge of the agency, who may be a store attendant,h'ote'l clerk, housewife or anybody authori'zedto deliver the messages.In large cities, these machines may be placed in apartment housesand-office buildings with-one of the employees in charge.

The telegraph-receiversinstalledat such agenmiles are usually of thefacsimile type and the received messages are recorded on tape or othersuitable blank. In some cases, these machines also operate astransmitters, where the sender simply drops theimessageinto aslot forautomatic transmission.

It is important, especially in small towns, that the messages receivedon these machines shall be kept secret, so as to remove the fear ofgossip or spying into personalaflairs. To assure full privacy of thereceived message for delivery is the chief purpose of our invention.

The basic idea of this invention involves the automatic-handling of arecordedmessage inside the machine in such a way that when the messageis taken out for deliver-y the text of the message is completely hiddenand the'only portion visible is the address. The messages are removedfrom the machine in sealed condition to guard against tampering.

In a preferred embodiment of our invention, a telegraph receiver of thetape recording type is provided with -means' :for automaticallyfeedingthe recorded tape into -a delivery container so constructed thatonly the address of the en closed message is visible, and the addresseeis thus assured that no :prying eyes have seen a word of the message.

In the broad aspect of our'invention, the message may bereoorded' ontape or on sheets either by'ia'csiinile oi 'telepiint ing'niethod. 'Whenthe message is recorded on tape, the container for receiving it may be asmall shallow box something like a pill-'boxin which'the recorded tapeautomatically coils up as it is "fed into it from therecorder with themessage side out. After CAT.

the recorded message'is completely enclosed, the tape is cut inside thebox, which has a transparent section 'for reading the address on theouter portion of thecoiled-up tape. The text of the message on the innercoils of the tape is fully concealed by the opaque ends of the box.

To enhance the practical value of these machines, we provide a'ma'gazinefor holding a mum ber of containers, oneofwhich is always inmessage-receiving position. After a container has received a recordedmessage, it is automatically ejected from the magazine and another onetakes its place for the next message. Unless a container is inmessage-receiving position the machine will not operate:

Other novel features and practical advantages will be apparent froma'description of the accompanying drawings,'in whichv Fig. 1 shows a sideView of a facsimile recording machine embodying our invention, certainparts being broken awayfor clearness;

Fig. 2 is a view looking at Fig. 1 from right to left, showing thedelivery magazine and associated parts;

Fig. 3 represents a 'top'plan view of the apparatus s'hown'in Figs. 1an'dz;

Fig. 4 is a detached vi'ew'showing'the magazine in tape-receivingposition during the recording operation;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the tapeguidin'g chute and.associated cutter;

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig.5;

Fig, 7 shows an edge'view of a tape receiving box adapted for use in themachine of Figs. '1, 2 and 3;

Fig. 8 'is a perspective of a sealed-box containinga tape-recordedtelegraph message for delivery to the addressee;

Fig. '9 shows a detail associated with the follower in the magazine;

Fig. 10 illustrates a structural detail of the box ejecting mechanism;

Fig.11 shows a modified form of box for receiving a telegraph messagerecorded on tape by a teleprinter as distinguished from-facsimilerecording; and

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic representation of the circuits that controlthe various electric devices used in our machine.

The recording and message sea'lingmechanism of our invention is housedin a suitable cabinet, notshown, which is .placed in a convenientlocation, as previously mentioned. This mechanism may be mounted as aunit on a base plate in removably positioned in the cabinet. It will notbe necessary to show or describe the structural details of the taperecorder which we have selected by way of example for use in conjunctionwith the message sealing mechanism, for that type of recorder is wellknown and does not by itself form part of this invention. It suffices tosay that the electrosensitive tape I2 is fed from a supply reell3 overguide rollers l4 and 15 to a recording device 16 which has a helicalscanning rib ll in point contact with the tape. The latter is constantlyheld against the metallic scanning rib IT by a spring pressed rockingarm or frame l8 which carries the conductingroller l5. The tape passesbetween a pair of feed'rollers l9 which are operated at the proper speedrelatively to the speed of the recording member it.

As to the operation of the recording device, we need only explain thatthe incoming facsimile signals are impressed upon the helical rib andproduce markings on the tape B2 to duplicate the transmitted message. Arecording blank suitable for this purpose is disclosed in Wise PatentNo. 2,294,146, issued May 28, 1935. The helical scanner I6 and the feedrollers l9 are operated by an electric motor through suitableconnections such as disclosed in Wise Patent No. 2,205,450, issued June25, 1940. It will be understood that in the broad view of our inventionany practical form of recorder may be used.

From the feed rollers IS, the recorded tape l2 passes through a chute 20which is a flat tube with a smooth slot 2| for easy passage of the tape.The chute 23 is supported in fixed relation to the feed rollers l9 inany practical way. In Figs. 1, and 6, the chute 20 is attached to abracket 22 which is mounted between the arms of a U-shaped frame 23, andthis frame in turn is secured to an arm 24 projecting from the post 25on the base plate It. The chute carrying frame 23 may also be used tosupport a tape cutter comprising a pair of arms 26 arranged on oppositesides of chute 20 and pivoted on pins 21 at the upper end of frame 23. AU-shaped wire spring 28, fastened at its ends in frame 23 and coiledaround the pivot pins 21, passes under the tape cutter arms 26 andnormally tends to rock the same clockwise, as viewed in Fig. 1. Thismovement is limited by stops 29 arranged to engage the top of chute 20,as seen in Fig. 5. V A knife blade 3!) is attached to the free ends ofarms 25 and normally lies below the tape slot 2! of chute 20 so as notto interfere with the free movement of the recorded tape through thechute. When the rear ends of arms 2| are rocked downward against theaction of spring 28, the knife blade 30 is thrown up and cuts the tape.The adjacent end of chute 20 cooperatesrwith blade 3!! to shear the tapeoff cleanly at that point. The upward movement of blade 3!! is but asmall fraction of an inch and may be limited by stops 3! on the arms 26engaging the underside of chute 2B-.

The cutting movement of arms 26 is produced by an electromagnet 32mounted on post 25 and operatively connected to the cutter arms in anypractical way. In Fig. 1, the rear ends of arms 26 carry a dependingbracket 33 to which the movable core 32 of magnet 32 is connected by arod or wire 34. When the magnet is energized, the arms 26 are rockedcounterclockwise (as viewed in Fig. 1) and the blade 30 moves up to cutthe tape. As will be explained later, the cutter magnet 32 isautomatically energized at the right moment after completion of themessage.

The recorded tape l2 passes from the chute 20 directly into a containerB which is adapted to receive the outlet end of the chute and allows thereleased tape to coil up automatically inside the container, asindicated in Fig. 4. The spiral 52 represents the coiled up tape onwhich the complete message has been recorded, including the name andaddress of'the sendee. The cutting of the tape takes place within thecontainer while the parts are still in the position shown in Fig. 4.

The novel container B is so constructed as to permit the entry andwithdrawal of the cutter blade and to conceal the enclosed messagecompletely, leaving only the address to be read by the attendant of themachine. In the illustrated form of our invention, the container B is ofpillbox shape comprising a pair of opaque end pieces 35 of stiff paperor like material and a transparent central section 36 of cellophane orsimilar material available in the market. The end pieces 35 are providedwith hollow ribs 3'! which form grooves for receiving the ends of thetransparent strip 36. By cementing these edges into the grooves of ribs31 the parts are firmly connected, the ribs adding to the strength ofthe box.

The central strip 36 terminates in a tongue 3611 which is free of theholding ribs 31 and acts like a resilient flap to close the box. As seenin Fig. 1, the tip of tongue 35a normally rests against the fixed lowerend 36b of strip 36, thereby completely closing the box. When the latteris moved toward the chute 20 by a mechanism to be presently described,the chute pushes the tongue 35a up, as shown in Fig. 4, to provideanopening for the passage of the tape into the box. The tape enters thebox in a direction substantially tangential to the glassy cylindricalwall of strip 36, which therefore causes the entering tape to coil upautomatically into a spiral. When the box is moved away from the chuteafter the cutting operation, the spring tongue 3611 automatically movesto closing position, whereby the message is sealed within the box. Ifdesired, a separate seal bearing a distinctive mark can be applied tothe transparent wall 36 over the tongue 36a.

In the particular embodiment which We have illustrated, the recordedmessage is at the bottom of the tape as it passes through the chute 20into the box. Accordingly, the message is on the outer side of the tapecoils in the box, but the only recording visible on the outer coilthrough the transparent wall 36 is the name and address of the personfor whom the message is intended, as may be seen in Fig. 8. Since theaddress portion of the tape goes last into the box, the facsimilemessage must be recorded backward. However, if the message is recordedby teleprinter, the recording is done in the usual way except that theaddress is put at the end of the message,

' as shown in Fig. 11. In this case, the recording is on the upper sideof the tape which is, therefore, inserted into the box at the top, sothat the address is on the outer side of the last coil, the same as inFig. 4. Otherwise what has been said for the box in Fig. 8 applies tothe box in Fig. 11.

It should be noted that the automatic transfer of the received telegraphmessage from the recorder into box B takes place inside the cabinet ofthe machine unseenby anybody, and when the sealed box with the enclosedmessage is removed from the machine, the only thing visible through thetransparent wall of the box is the address 5. portion'of the message.The textis fully-- con-'- cealecl by the opaque ends .35; even if thetape is loosely coiled up,- forv the inside of' the box is only slightlywider. than the tape.- By cutting the tape off inside the box; theclosing of flap 36a prevents withdrawal of the tape.

It will .thus be seen that the received message remains concealed from.the time it leaves the recorder until it-is delivered to the addressee.in the sealed container: in which it was automatically wrapped insidethe. receiving cabinet. This handling-f the message. to preserve;itssecrecy constitutes one of the main advantages-of our invention. Foreasy removal of the messagefrom the-box by the addressee, one of the endpieces 35 in the box may have a-perforated circular line 35 where thebox can be ripped open with the thumb nail.

In the present machine, we have provided la.- magazine for holding anumber of boxes and feedingthem one at a time into, message-receivingposition. Referring to Figs. 2 and .3, a hori zontal magazine 38isadapted to receive a certain number of boxes side by side. Afollower3,5 operated by an expanding coil spring Minormally tends to push theboxes to. the left. The end box is the only oneintape-receiving positionopposite the chute 20, as seenin the. plan View of Fig. 3. The follower39, which may beladisk or plate engaging the last box, is connectedv toa rod 4! which passes throughthe magazine. and terminates in a knob GZformanually withdrawing th follower to the. right when the-magazine isfilled.

The magazine 38is closed by adoor GS-hinged at 44 alongthe lower edgeand heldclosedby a. spring latch 45. A handle 45 projects from. the.door for easy manipulation. As shown.in-Fig.. 9; a latch 47 is pivotedon a pin flfiiproje'cting from the end wall of the magazine anda spring49 normally pulls the latch up. The rodALhas a slot or notch (see Fig.2) arranged toreceive the latch 41. To fill the magazine, the door 43-is swung down and the knob 32. is pulledout until the spring-pressedlatch 4T snaps. into. the .1

This holds the follower. 31$.

notch 50 on rod 5!. in withdrawn position, sothatthe. boxes. carnbereadily inserted;

It is necessary'that the boxes be correctly positioned in the magazine;that is to say,,,the..

tape inlet'closed by the flap 36a must be. opposite the outlet of chute2%, as shown in Fig. 1'. we. have provided means for compelling. the.correct insertion of the boxes intothe. magazine. The

top rear-edge of the magazine isformediwitha r slanting face 5| (seeFigs. 3"and ll adaptedltd receive a correspondingly bevelled corner 52;on. box 13; It is' only when these two angular. sur faces engage, thatthe box goes fully into. the-- magazineandonly then is the boxincorrectposie tion, aswill be clear. from Fig; 4. Should-the. attendantcarelessly'put'a box into. the magazine the wrong way; it'will beimpossible toclose the door 43. Therefore, whenthe doorcan. beclosed itindicates the correct positioning, of! all the boxes inthe'magazine.

We may also provide means for automatically releasing the follower 39when thedoor. 434sclosed. A lug .53 projecting from thezdoor strikes theend 5401" latch l'i when thedoor is-closed-and. therefore, moves thelatch out of the: notch. 58: on rod 4!; The coil spring 40thereupon-moves the follower 39 against the. last box and maimtainsthefollower inoperative position untilall the boxes, have been. removedfrom. the magazine".

mounted .on. top of. the magazinebymeans 0 a bracket 13., An. ejectingfingerv 'l i is pivoby; ejector r mechanism: to be describedilatenfom-The magazine 3811s: slidable asiar unit toward andaway; from theoutletofthe; stationary chute 20. Anwpractical form of: mounting: may beused.forslidablysupportingt the; magazine; By way of "example, we haveshowna-pa-ir of upright plates or standards .55 and 56 secured 'to the:base l0. and carrying, atv their uppfer ends: a; ir of slotted rails 5:1and .58; respectivelyi. Theendsof. the bottom plate: ES-ofthe-magazine:extend into the slots ofirails-:5 'l"and58,- as. best sh own iniligi 2.;whereby themagazine is support'edifor transverse sliding. movement.v Tolimit this movement; which need not be-more than: a: half-inch; stop;pieces Bilandtl are attachedto. theopposite erids' of rail-s51 and 58.Themagazineilti-movesato ward the. chute-29 until the baseplate:59-strikes the. stops 6!), .while-thestops Sllimitt the reversemovement of the magazine; as-will be clean-from? Figs. 4: and-1,.respectively.

We will now describecthemechanismsfor mov= ing the magazine: 38\ fromone positionto the: other. Referring to Figsi 1-, 2-an'd'. 4;,twospaced.links 62 are pivoted-at the-:lower endson pinata carried by the mainbase IB-andthe-upperends of these links are connected. torpins-64project-- ing. from. the. bottom plate. 59. of: the-:- magazine-.3 Thelinks 62.- arerigidly connected-bya -crosserod- $5 which carries an. arm66-preerably-at or near: the center ofv the. rod.-The'arm:66-.hasa:-hl1b 61 through which. the. rod fiiipassesa A; coil;spring. 68,.connectedat-one=endto-hub fi1 andiat the other end'to post69 on base ll), normally holds the. mechanism in withdrawn.- positiomagainst the. stopsfiil; as shown .in. Fig. 1. Them-magazine. 3.8 ismoved. toward-the tapechute' 2 O- byan eleca tromagnetll)mountedona:bracket ll-i Themovable core. E2 of. this magnetisconnected-tether arm 66. When the magnet!!! isenergized, the core. 121spulled. in and themagazine38 is shifted from the position shown in Fig.1 totha-t-shown in? Fig. 4, where the outlet of chute and.thecuttingblade are insidethe :box.B. The magnet- Hf-remains energized.to-hold the boxin. tape: receiving position untilthetape has beenicutafter completion. ofthe. message; When the magnet 18 isid'eenergized,thespring 68 pullsthe: magazine to the. withdrawn position. shown-in-vFig. 1. The control. ofImagnet 'm.willbeexplainede in the description ofFig 12.-

After the message bearing tape has, beeniullyenclosed. in boxB, thelatter is automatiallyrew moved" from the. magazinexby ejectormechanism: indicated as a. whole by J.. This mechanism-is t'o'thefi'eeend ofan arm '-'5 by a pin 75. A-wire: pring??? coiled around the pin? 6normally=holds a. projection. 18 on fihger l l againsta pinl9-om arm. asshown in Fig.1- In. this vwayatheeject-- ingfihger 113. forms arigidextensloniofltherarml'lii when the latter; swings counterclocltwise;However,. during the: return. movement of. thee'a'rm. 15;: thefingerllelis-lfree to rook-omits pivot -l For conveniencewe mayre-fer tothe connected-meme bers 14-1 5 asan, ejecting lever;

The upper endsofarm l5 ispivotally mounteda. on. thetbracket 'l-3-byymeans ofiapin tiim'igt .19) l which turns in a bushing ill carried.bythe bracket; The .pivot pin-B6: has: a screw "threaded extension 82which form La shoulder-3 at the inner endofthepingxthig: shoulderprojecti g slightly beyond. the face-c offthe': bracket 73? A nut. 84clamps the: arm 1 1.5% rigidly? aga-irst the shoulder 83550 rthattherarrrrzandi imaiways oa erate as aunit. A wire spring 85, coiledaround the pin extension 82, is attached at one end to the bracket I3and at the other end it engages the lower edge of arm I5, whereby thespring normally hold the arm against a stop 96 on the bracket. The pivotpin 89 carries at its outer end a pulley 81 on which is wound a cord orwire 88. One end of this cord is fastened to the pulley, as indicated at89, and the other end is connected to the movable core 90 of anelectromagnet 9i mounted on the bracket 13. When the magnet 9| isenergized the core 99 turns the pin 89 and the ejecting lever 'I4l5 isswung toward and over the magazine to the dotted line position J in Fig.1 until the arm I strikes a stop 92. Upon deenergization of magnet 9Ithe spring 85 moves the lever 'I4'I5 back to normal position.

' The ejecting finger M terminates in a lateral bar I4 arranged inalignment with the box that is in tape receiving position, as shown inFig. 3. The width of the bar M is preferably such that it engages thesides 35 of the box during the ejecting operation, which is completedwhen the lever Id-15 reaches the dotted line position J. The door 43 ofmagazine 33 does not cover the end box that receives the message, sothat this box is free to be pushed out of the magazine into a chute 93which guides the message holding box to a suitable point in the cabinetfor removal. The action of ejecting magnet 9i may be slowed down, as bya dashpot arrangement, so that the bar I4 will not strike the box withtoo hard a blow.

As soon as the message holding box 33 has been ejected from themagazine, the spring-pressel follower 39 pushes the next box intomessage receiving position, and this may take place before the ejectinglever IE-I5 has started on it return movement. In that event the fingerM rocks on its pivot I5 and i dragged by the arm I5 over the new end boxwithout disturbing the latter. In other words, while the lever ll'5 actsas a single rigid member during the ejecting operation, it collapses topermit return of the parts to normal position.

Ordinarily the pressure of spring 49 in the magazine will be sufficientto hold the end box firmly in operative position. However, to guardagainst a possible displacement of the box when it is pushed against thechute 29 into tape receiving position, we provide a positive stop 94-which extends across the rear edge of the box (see Figs. 2 and 3) andlooks it in the magazine. It is necessary, of course, to withdraw thstop 94 prior to. the ejecting operation and that is done automaticallyby an electromagnet 95 mounted on the end plate 99 of the magazine. Thestop 94 is a pawl pivoted on a vertical pin 91 carried by a bracket 99on the plate 95. A pulley 99 rotatably mounted on pin 9? is attached tothe stop 94, so that these two part always turn together. A cordor wireI99 connects the pulley 99 to the movable core Iiil of magnet 95. A coilspring I02 normally holds the stop 99 in box engaging position, as shownin Fig. 3. When the magnet 95 is energized, the stop 9 is instantlyswung out of the way to the position 99. A slot I03 in delivery chute 93allows free movement of the stop.

It is necessary to prevent operation of the recording mechanism unless abox is in message receiving position. For this purpose we provide meanswhereby the end box in the magazine holds certain switches closed tomaintain the recording mechanismin its operative condition. Re-

8 ferring to Figs. 1 and 2, the end plate of the magazine has a bottomslot I04 adapted to receive a bar or strip I 05 carried by a pin I95.This pin is connected to a pair of switch arms I01 and I08 which areassociated with contacts I07 and I08 respectively. The pin I05 iinsulated from the switch arms I0! and I08, which are shown as springblades inherently tending to move away from their respective contacts.The switch members I0I-I0I and I08I08' are carried by an insulatingblock I 09 which is mounted on the upright plate 56. It is clear fromFig. 2 that when a box is in message receiving position, it engages thebar I05 and thereby holds the switch arms I0! and I 08 pressed againsttheir contacts I91 and I08. However, when no box is in message receivingposition, the spring arms I01 and I09 move to open position and breakthe circuits controlled by those two switches. As long as this conditionprevails, the recording mechanism can not operate, as will be explainedmore fully in 7 connection with Fig. 12.

The switch arms I01 and I08 move to open position during the momentaryinterval between the ejection of a box and the positioning of the nextone, but when the magazine is empty, the switches I0I-I0'I' and l08-I08remain open to prevent operation of the machine until the magazine isfilled again. It is desirable to inform the attendant of the fact thatthe magazine is empty. One way of doing this is shown in Fig. 2, wherethe knob 42 on the follower rod 4| closesa normally open switch II 0after the last box has been ejected from the magazine. The closing ofswitch I III, which may be mounted on the standard 55, operates asuitable signal I I2, such as a buzzer or a light, to let the attendantknow that the magazine needs replenishing. At the same time theoperation of signal II2 informs the attendant that the machine in hischarge is not in message receiving condition.

We now come to the automatic control circuits of Fig. 12 to explain thetimed operation of the magazine shifting magnet I0, the tape cuttermagnet 32, the ejector magnet 9|, and the unblocking magnet 95. Thesignal impulses that operate the recording device IB may be assumed tooriginate in a transmitter II 3 which is connected by lines I I4 to anamplifier I I5. The output circuit H6 of the amplifier is connected tothe recording device I6 for producing a, facsimile record of thetransmitted message, as will be clear without further explanation.

The lines P and Q represent a source of alternating current for thevarious electrical devices in our new machine, and this source of poweris primarily controlled by a rela II'I connected to the amplifier II5.This relay is of the delayed or slow action type so that it remainsenergized for a certain length of time after the cessation of signalimpulses in circuit H4. The tongue N9 of relay H1 is connected tocontact I01 and the contact 9 of the relay is connected to the powerline P through a conductor I20. The tongue or switch arm H8 is normallyopen and is in series with the switch I0II0'I' which is held closed bythe end box in the magazine, as previously described.

A relay I2I is connected to switch arm I 91 by a wire I22 and to thepower line Q by a wire I23. A motor I24 is connected to conductors I22and I23 in shunt to relay I2 I. It is to be assumed that this motordrives the recording device It and the tape I2 through properly gearedconnections. The tongue I25 of relay I2I has a break contact '19 IZB-a'n'd a make contact I21, th'e tongue being connected to thepowerilineP through conductor I20.

A relay I28is connectedat one sideto .the power line'Q by a wire I29 andatthe other side to the relay contact'I2'I by a wire I30. This relay hasa tongue I3I with a make contact I32 and a second tongue I33 witha makecontact I 34 and a break contact I35. The tongue I3! is connected to awire I36 and thetongue I33fis connected by a wire I31 to the breakcontact I26 of relay I2I. Themakecontact I32 of. relay I28.is connectedtoa wireI30,.the.make contact I34is connected by a wire. I38jtothecutter magnet -32, and the .break contact I35.is connected to a wireI 39.

A relay I40has-a tongue MI with-a. make contact I 52 and a second tongueI43 with a make contact W3. One side of this relay is connected to the.power line Q by a conductor I05 and the other side is connected to awire I36. The tongue I M is connected by a wire I4! to switch arm I58and the contact I l-2 is connected to wire I55. The tongue I43 isconnected to a wire I43 which goes to one sideof the ejector magnet 9!.The other side of this magnet is connected to the power line Q by a wireI 39. .The make contact I34 of relay IE is connected to wire I 39 and istherefore in series with the break contact I35 of relay I28. Theunblockingmagnet 95 is connected to wires I48 and I49 in shunt to theejector magnet 9| whereby these two magnets always operatesimultaneously.

The tape cutter magnet 32 operates apair of switches representedby-contacts I 50-! and I52I53. The members I50 and .I52 are insulatedspring arms connected to operate as 'a unit. The switch I50- -I5I isnormally closed and the switch I-52-I53 is normally open. As best shownin Fig. 1, the-switch arm I50 extends into the path of an insulatedbutton I54 on the end of a finger I55 which is mounted onthe bracket 33of theucutter frame 26. When the cutter magnet 32 is energized,theswitch arm I50 is opened and the other arm I52 is closed. The switcharm I50 is connected to the tongue I3I of relay I28 by wire I35. Thecontact I5I and tongue I52 are connected to thepower line P by a wireI53. The contact I53 is connected to wire I45 which goes to relay I40.

The various relayswitches in Fig. 12 are shown in their normal position,that is, when the relays are not energized. The switch arms'I-0'I andI08 are shown closed because it is. assumed'that'there is a box inmessage receiving position in the magazine. It is clear-that'as; long asthe relay II'i deenergized, the circuits of all the electrical devicesremain .open. -When signal impulses are generated in transmitter H3 andpass through amplifier I I5, the relay II! is energized and closes theswitch arm II 8. This energizes the relay I2I and the motor I24 throughthe following connections: from power line P, wire I20, closed contactsH8 and I0! in series, wire I22, through motor l24-and relay I2I inparallel, and through-wire I23 to line Q. s

The energized-motor I24 drives the recording device I6 and the tape feedrollers I9. The energized relay IZI closesitsmake contact I2I, therebyenergizing the magnet III-and the relay I28 through circuitconn-ectionswhich gofrom the power line P, wire [20, relay contact IZ'Lthroughmagnet 70. and relay.l28 in parallel, and through; wire 129' to .lineThe-energized magnet shifts the magazine into message receivingposition, as shown inFig. 4, so that the machine is now in operativecondition. That is to say, the transmitted message is being recorded andthe tape isiautomaticallyied into the delivery box. At thistimethe-energizing. or relay I28 performs no other function than tobreak the contact I and close the two make contacts I32 and I33. Thislooks the magazine magnet It? and the relay I28 in energized condition.independently of relay I2 I. "This locking circuit goes from the powerline P, through wire I55, closed switch I50I5I, wire I35, closed contactI32,-through-magnet I0 and relay I23, andby wire I29to line Q. Themagnets -32,.3I and 55 remain in open circuit because the relay I50 isstill deenergized.

Whenthe entire message has been recorded, the trailing or finalportionof the recorded tape which carries the address is stilloutsidethe container B, this trailing portion being the length of tape betweenthe :recorder I0 and the .container, as will'beciearfrom Fig. 1. It is,therefore, necessary after cessation of signal impulses from thetransmitter to keep the-motor I23 running long enough to feed thefinallength of the recorded tape intothe-container. In the present instance,thisis accomplished by means of the delayed action relay I ll. Aftercompletion of the message at thetransmitter II3, when no more signalimpulsespass through the amplifier IE3, the-relay I Il remains energizedto hold the circuit of motor I24 closed until the final portion of therecorded tape has been fed into the container before the tapeis cut oil.We should ex- I plain here thatthe briefcessation of signal impulsesduring the scanningof the message in the transmitter is not sufiicientto deenergize the control relay II'I. Itis only the cessation or absenceof impulsesafter completion of the message that causes deenergization ofthe relay. When this happens-the motor I22 stops and the relay I2 I-isdeenergized, breaking the contact I2? and closing the other contact I20.The opening of contact I2? has no efiecton the circuits of magnetIdandrelay I 28,1because these remain closedthrough the make contact I32of the relay.

The closing of contact I 25 upon deen'ergization of relay I2I closes thecircuit-of the cutter magnet 2 as follows: from power lineP, conductorI253, closed relay switch I25-I-26, wire I3'I, closed relay switchI133-- Wi -wire I33,-throu'gh magnet 32, and wire I5'I to-line- Q..Theienergized magnet 32 operates the blade 30to cut the tape inside thebox, as already explained, while the magazine isstillheldin=forwardpositionby the energized magnet 10. The downwardmovement of the core. ohmagnet 32 causes the finger I55 to open theswitch contact I5I and-close the contact I53. The'openingof contactI-5Ibreaksi the circuit of relay I28 andmagnet "I0, whereupon themagazine -is moved back to withdraw the message holding boxfromthen-chute and cutter. The dc energizationeof .relay I'28'opens themake con tact I34 and thusbreaks the circuit of cutter magnet 32. Thisoccurs after the energized magnet has operated the associated switchesI5Il--I-5I and I 52I.-53.

The closingyof contact -I53-by.the cutter mag net 32 energizes the;relay ltthrough a circuit from; power. linez-P, wire I56; closed switchI 5"- I 53, wire'I i5,-.. rel-ayI- Zii-aand wire I35 to lineQ. The:energized rela I745 vvcloses; its: make contacts Hi2 and Ii5,v\vhereby-the relay is locked independentlynofthee-switch I-52-' I5-3byway of contact I42, wire I-tl, closedswitcli llit 'l'tii and wire I58to line P. The closing of make contact L44 closes the circuit ofejectormagnet 9i and unblocking magnet 95 from the power line 'P, wireI20, closed relay switch l25-'l26, wire I31, closed relay switchl33,-I35, wire I39, closed make contact I44, wire I48, through magnetsQ! and 95 in parallel, and wire I49 to power line Q. The energizedmagnet 95 removes the stop Si l from the box containing the message andthe energized magnet 9| operates the finger M to eject the box from themagazine. During the brief interval between the ejection of the messageholding box and the movement of the next box into message receivingposition, the switch arm I08 automatically opens the contact 588' andthereby breaks the circuit of relay M to deenergize the magnets 9| and95. All the circuits are now open, the various movable parts havereturned to normal position, and the machine is again in condition toreceive the next telegraph message from the transmitter.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that we have provideda telegraph receiving machine which is wholly automatic in recordingmessages and sealing them inside a container for delivery to theaddressee. The only personal attention that the machine requires is theremoval of the message holding container and the refilling of themagazine when empty.

Although we have described an embodiment of our invention utilizing atape for recording the messages, it is clear that any other practicalform of recording medium can be employed. For example, if the messagesare recorded on sheets, the container may be of tubular or cylindricalshape, wide enough to receive the message bearing sheet and allow it tocoil up like the tape in box B. Or, the container may be in the form ofan envelope arranged to receive the recorded sheet and having atransparent portion for the address of the message. and modificationsmay be resorted to without departing from the scope and nature of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In telegraph tape recording apparatus, a sealed shallow box forreceiving a tape coiled up in spiral form and bearing an addressedtelegraph message, said box having a pair of opaque sides and a centralcircular wall comprising a transparent strip, and a resilient flapinside the box adapted to close a slot through which the tape isinserted into the box, said flap being movable inward for insertion ofthe tape and automatically closing itself to seal the message inside thebox, said transparent strip exposing the address portion of the messageon the outer coil of the spiral tape while said opaque sides conceal thetext of the message on the inner coils.

2. A telegraph machine provided with mechanism for recording anaddressed message on a blank, a message delivery box supported inoperative relation to said mechanism, said box being closed and having aslot, a device for automatically feeding a recorded blank through saidslot into the box as the blank leaves said mechanism, a curved surfacein said box having an end portion so arranged with respect to said slotthat the message blank enters the box in a direction substantiallytangential to said curved surface which automatically coils up themessage blank as it enters the box, and a transparent section on saidbox arranged to expose only the address of the message for reading, themessage itself remaining concealed within the box which is removable fordelivery to the addressee.

Various other changes 3. A telegraph receiverhaving mechanism forrecording an addressedmessage on a blank, a message delivery boxarranged to receive a recorded blank, a device for automatically feedinga recorded blank from said mechanism into said box which is constructedto conceal the message and expose only the.address,.said box having anelement automatically operated after insertion of the message forsealing the box in which the message is delivered in secret condition tothe addressee. r

4. Telegraph apparatus comprising mechanism for recording messages on anendless tape, a box for receiving the recorded tape through a slot, adevice for feeding the recorded tape through said slot into the box, ashear member extending through said slot into the box for cutting offthe recorded tape, connections for automatically withdrawing said shearmember from the box after a cutting operation, and closure means insidethe box for automatically sealing the slot upon withdrawal of said shearmember.

5. Telegraph apparatus provided with mechanism for recording addressedmessages on an endless tape, a box positioned to receive the recordedtape through a slot, a device for automatically feeding the recordedtape from the recording mechanism through said slot into the box, meansinside the box for automatically coiling up the tape as it is fed intothe box by said device, a shear member arranged between said feedingdevice and the box for cutting off the recorded tape fed into the box, amagnet for operating said shear member, and timed connections forautomatically energizing said cutting magnet only after the entiremessage has been fed into the box, which is removable for delivery tothe addressee.

6. Telegraph apparatus comprising mechanism for recording messages on anendless tape, a box removably mounted on a support for receiving arecorded message as it leaves said mechanism, a shear member for cuttingoiT the tape when the complete message is enclosed in the box, anejector for removing the message containing box from said support,a'magnet for operating said shear member, a second magnet for operatingsaid ejector, and circuit connections for automatically energizing saidmagnets at predetermined intervals after insertion of a completedmessage in said box.

7. Telegraph apparatus comprising mechanism 7 for recording a message ona blank in accordance with received signals, a box removably mounted ona support, a device for feeding a recorded blank into said box as theblank leaves said mechanism, an ejector for removing the message holdingbox from its support, a magnet for actuating said ejector, and meansincluding an electric circuit controlled by the absence of signalimpulses for a predetermined time after a recording operation forenergizing said magnet, whereby said box is automatically ejected aftera recorded message has been enclosed therein by said feeding device.

8. Telegraph apparatus comprising mechanism for recordinga message on ablank, a motor for operating said mechanism, a box mounted on a supportfor receiving a recorded blank from said mechanism, said boxbeingprovided with means for automatically coiling up the message blankas it comes from the recording mechanism, and 1 a switch controlled bythe presence of said box on its support to prevent operation of saidmotor unless the box is in message receiving position.

9. Telegraph apparatus comprising mechanism for recording messages on ablank, a magazine for holding a plurality of flat rectangular boxes sideby side, each box being adapted to receive a recorded message and onlythe end box being in message receiving position, a device for feeding arecorded message from said magazine into said end box, and cooperatingsurfaces on said magazine and boxes for compelling correct insertion ofthe boxes into the magazine so that they will be in message receivingposition.

10. A telegraph recording machine having mechanism for recordingmessages on a tape, a magazine for holding a plurality of boxes adaptedeach to receive a recorded message, only one of said boxes being inreceiving position at a time, means for feeding a recorded length oftape from said mechanism into the receiving box, a shear memberautomatically operated at a predetermined moment after the recording ofa message to cut off the tape fed into said box, a device automaticallyactuated after said cutting operation to eject the message containingbox from said magazine, and automatic means for moving another box intomessage receiving position upon ejection of the previous box.

11. Telegraph recording apparatus having mechanism controlled byincoming signals for recording messages on a strip, a box arranged at adistance from said mechanism for receiving the recorded strip, a devicefor feeding the recorded strip into said box, a motor for operating saiddevice, a relay operated by incoming signals for energizing the motor,means for supporting the end portion of the message recorded on thelength of strip that still remains outside the box upon completion of arecording operation, and an electrically controlled timing device forkeeping said motor energized after the cessation of incoming signals tofeed said end portion of the recorded message into the box in which themessage is delivered to the addressee.

12. Telegraph apparatus comprising mechanism for recording addressedmessages on a continuous strip in accordance with incoming signals, abox for receiving a recorded strip, a guide through which the recordedstrip passes from said mechanism into said box for delivery to theaddressee, a device for feeding the recorded strip through said guide ina continuous movement, a shear member arranged at the outlet end of saidguide to cut off the recorded strip, a motor for operating said device,a relay energized by incoming signals to close the circuit of saidmotor, said relay being constructed to remain energized after thecessation of incoming signals for a definite interval whereby the motoroperates the feeding device until the complete recorded message haspassed into the delivery box, and connections automatically operated inresponse to the deenergizing of said relay to actuate said shear memberwhich cuts off the tape only after the complete recorded message hasbeen fed through said guide into the box.

13. Telegraph apparatus comprising mechanism for recording messages onan endless tape, a box positioned to receive the recorded tape through aslot, means for feeding the recorded tape into the box, a shear member,connections for producing relative movement of said box and shear memberto insert the latter through said slot into the box after the completemessage has been fed into the box, automatic means for operating saidshear member to cut the tape at a point inside the box, and automaticmeans for operating said connections after a cutting operation towithdraw the shear member from the box.

RALEIGH J. WISE. GARVICE H. RIDINGS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,549,423 Schaefer Aug. 11, 19251,834,278 Hitt Dec. 1, 1931 1,918,109 Joyce July 11, 1933 2,176,680Nichols Oct. 17, 1939 2,182,115 Carlson Dec. 5, 1939 2,255,868 WiseSept. 16, 1941 2,255,869 Ridings Sept. 16, 1941 2,331,947 Wack 1. Oct.19, 1943 2,353,608 Zenner July 11, 1944 2,353,982 Young July 18, 19442,393,329 Mample Jan. 22, 1946

